Entertainment

15 Fab Flash Mob Videos on YouTube

A flash mob is defined by Wikipedia as "a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse."

Social media has greatly aided the organization of such events, and proof of their existence has been caught on camera only to go viral online via sites like YouTube.

While there are a few groups who still carry on the practice, Improv Everywhere being the notable example, a high profile flash mob event is likely to have corporate backing, as companies jump on the bandwagon as part of viral marketing campaigns.

We've rounded up the very best flash mob events from both big brands and ordinary bands of people. For your viewing pleasure, here are 15 fine examples of flash mobbery.

15 Fab Flash Mob Videos on YouTube

1. Bristol Lightsaber Flashmob – The Official Video

One Saturday in February earlier this year, a large group of geeks gathered at a mall in Bristol, UK to enjoy an epic lightsaber battle, much to the amusement of onlooking shoppers.

2. The Liverpool Street Station T-Mobile Dance

The next train to arrive at platform 14 is the disco express! Perhaps inspired by a much earlier silent rave held at the Liverpool Street Station in London, mobile carrier T-Mobile organized this 350-person strong flash mob dance to promote its "Life's for Sharing" campaign.

3. Frozen Grand Central

Improv Everywhere's orginal Grand Central Freeze is just one of many now-classic flash mob events produced by the group. This particular stunt has been replicated time and again, including once in Sydney, where over 2,000 participants froze, and in Paris where an amazing 3,000 people repeated the event.

4. Sound of Music at the Central Station Antwerp in Belgium

Central Station in Antwerp was filled with the melodic voice of Julie Andrews, as a growing crowd of dancers provide the moves for a promo stunt designed to push a Belgian TV talent contest to find a new Maria.

It all goes a bit techno at around 2:16, so keep watching for an interesting remix of the classic Rogers and Hammerstein track.

5. Flash Mob in “Stary Browar” Poznan, Poland

Inspired by the banned Xbox ad, hundreds of Poles turn up at a shopping center for a finger gun shoot-out. If you think it's just a Polish thing, then you'd be wrong -- similar events have taken place in London and Singapore.

6. Bondi Beach Towel Surfing – Flip Video Flash Mob

With a sunny soundtrack and one of the world's most famous beaches providing the backdrop, a sunburned guy in a red Speedo make this viral effort from Flip a win in our book. "Won't you pleeeeeeease..."

7. Official Haiti Flash Mob – Hollywood

Flash Mob America is the source behind a number of such stunts, but this Michael Jackson-themed dance that raised money for Haiti's Earthquake Relief Fund and was carried out with almost military precision in Hollywood. It's one of our faves.

8. Michael Jackson Tribute – Montreal Flash Mob

Staying with the King of Pop theme, there's a ton of flash mobs tribute videos on YouTube as fans mourned his passing, and celebrated his music with a series of flash mobs around the globe. While all are good, this one is included because we're BouncE fans (see below), plus there's a ton of cute kids and even the cop busts some cool moves!

9. BouncE Flash Mob – Grona Lund

Swedish streetdance troupe BouncE takes a horizontal approach to the flash mob dance, getting right on down and boogieing on the ground.

10. Latvian Flash Mob Folk Dance in Riga 2009

Staying in Europe, this flash mob shows that traditional dances can be just as effective as more modern moves.

11. Proposal in Washington Square Park

Get your tissues ready for this one. A romantic New Yorker organizes an entire flash mob to make his proposal especially memorable. So sweet!

12. Mukhtars Fødselsdag – Flash Mob – Bedre Bustur

Part of a European transport company's "Better Bus Ride" campaign, this flash mob surprised an unsuspecting birthday boy.

13. Domino Day Flashmob – Cologne

To celebrate "Domino Day," these Germans make an impromptu human domino chain before being toppled by a guy wielding an inflatable hammer.

14. Supermarket Flashmob

Somehow more eerie than the Grand Central stunt, 50 people just freeze in a supermarket in Manchester, UK. What's really interesting to see is how many people just ignore the static humans and carry on with their shopping.

15. Oprah’s Kickoff Party Dance with the Black Eyed Peas

We're ending with this clip as it may be the moment the flash mob dance jumped the shark. What do you think? Have your say in the comments below.

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